There’s an important new study out that offers some historical analysis of spectrum auctions and how they can best be fashioned to benefit the economy and consumers . The study, by Georgetown University’s Center for Business and Public Policy visiting senior policy scholar... Read The Story...

What did you get for the holidays this year? Perhaps you were one of the fortunate ones who received a tablet or e-reader – apparently two of the most popular gifts this year. The Pew Internet and American Life Project just released the stats in a report today that reveal that tablet ownership by Americans jumped from 10% to 19% from the period of mid-December and early January. During the same period of time, e-reader ownership in the U.S. also jumped the same percentage, from 10% to 19%. The price point for both the Kindle and the Nook, two popular e-readers, dropped considerably with both offering a device for just under $100.

What does this mean for the tech policy community? These devices all connect to the wireless network, and as I’ve discussed before, more consumers adopting these great devices results in the anticipated spectrum crunch becoming a reality. Bottom line: we need more spectrum to meet consumers growing demand and usage!

This week, I attended a Broadband Breakfast panel session on “The Wired Home and Wireless Policy.” The discussion focus was a hot topic: the need for more spectrum and spectrum auctions.

First speaker Rick Kaplan, FCC’s Wireless Bureau Chief, spoke about the state of federal legislation for incentive auctions. The FCC wants to maintain authority to manage the auctions and is concerned that Congress will bind its hands. Rick said the FCC doesn’t envision blocking any providers from the auction, but at the same time the FCC needs the flexibility to manage the auctions. The FCC’s auction management is one issue of concern in Congress.

After Kaplan’s remarks, three other panelists spoke about these issues. Gary Shapiro, Consumer Elecronic Association’s (CEA) President and CEO, spoke about the myriad wireless devices that use an incredible amount of data, and these products assume there will be sufficient spectrum to support their use – pointing out that this is a flawed assumption. I completely agree with Shapiro’s remarks. It’s so exciting to see all the great new devices that are out in the marketplace — and soon to be available — and consumers are adopting them at a rapid pace. We need to make sure there is sufficient spectrum to support this explosion of devices and services.

Walter McCormick, USTA’s President and CEO, made the important point that over 99% of wireless services connect to a wired network and it’s critical to continue to support investment in fiber networks. Fred Campbell, President and CEO of Wireless Communications Association International (WCAI) also spoke about the rapid pace of consumer adoption of wireless technologies. Finally, Grant Seiffert, Telecommunications Industry Association’s (TIA) President, called on Congress to move forward on passing legislation for incentive auctions for spectrum.

It was an interesting panel discussion, highlighting the important need for more spectrum to support the growing demand of our wireless services and devices, as well providing some opportunity to discuss issues related to how the auctions might unfold

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas provides the opportunity to see every new and upcoming tech device in the market. I’m lucky enough to be walking the exhibit floors once again this year, checking out the cool, new devices and to see what technology has in store for consumers.

There’s always a good amount of floor space dedicated to entertainment: 3D TV (with and without glasses), video cameras smaller than our cell phones, video games that get us moving and seem so real. While these new offerings certainly are fun, I’m always more interested in the technology that improves and enhances our lives. This year, I’ve seen new and improved devices for smart homes, smart cars, smart phones, and other mobile devices. The greatest technological advancement I have seen is how all these devices are seemingly now integrated, allowing the power of each device to build on the next.

Additionally, the tablet is still a hot item at CES, with improvements on size and technology. It will be interesting to see how consumers react to the tablet market. Will they want the smaller tablet that is easier to carry and, with the phone features, appears to be more like a wireless phone? Or will they want a larger tablet with a more detailed screen that offers different benefits? It will be interesting to see where this market goes.

Well, I’m going back for another spin of the floor at CES today, to view what other technology consumer trends are coming for this year.

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Consumer Resources

Below are additional resources to more information about online privacy.

Consumer Guide to Online Privacy (PDF)
What is 4G Wireless Service? (PDF)
Consumer Online Privacy Survey
2008 Online Safety Survey
bNetS@vvy
www.onguardonline.gov
www.ikeepsafe.org/
www.getnetwise.org
www.fosi.org
www.enough.org

Other Organizations

National Caucus and Center on Black Aged:
http://www.ncba-aged.org/

National Consumers League:
http://www.nclnet.org/